> We got our young black part-Siamese cat from a cat rescue centre about
> two months ago. They told us he had still had a cold at the time, but
> we're a little concerned that he still has runny eyes. This can't still
> be a cold can it? Any advice is appreciated.
> Thanks.
Yes, I think it's possible that she could still have an infection. Has she
been seen by the vet about it?
Cathy
--
"Staccato signals of constant information..."
("The Boy in the Bubble") Paul Simon
Steve - 14 Feb 2004 02:31 GMT
> Yes, I think it's possible that she could still have an infection. Has she
> been seen by the vet about it?
Nope. Vets cost so much around here, but if its necessary we will take him.
Sherry - 14 Feb 2004 03:50 GMT
>> Yes, I think it's possible that she could still have an infection. Has she
>> been seen by the vet about it?
>
>Nope. Vets cost so much around here, but if its necessary we will take him.
It probably won't cost that much --- most vets can diagnose an eye infection
without running expensive diagnostic testing. You'll likely just pay an office
visit and get a tube of ointment or drops...but the only way to know for sure
is to see the vet.
Sherry
Kelly - 14 Feb 2004 04:12 GMT
> Nope. Vets cost so much around here, but if its necessary we will take him.
It's possible he will just need some antibiotics to help clear it up. But
antibiotics will not eliminate a virus, and most cat respiratory diseases
are viral. Some cats take longer to get over "kitty colds" than others.
Some cats actually don't recover and chronically have the sniffles or watery
eyes - but they can live very normal lives. Other cats do get over the
cold, but will have reoccurances over a lifetime. It's variable, but I
would say most cats do get over it, and it does not reoccur.
Best to see a vet, and he/she can advise a good course of action.
K.
> We got our young black part-Siamese cat from a cat rescue centre about
> two months ago. They told us he had still had a cold at the time, but
> we're a little concerned that he still has runny eyes. This can't still
> be a cold can it? Any advice is appreciated.
> Thanks.
Yup. Upper Respiratory Infections (the common kitty cold, abbreviated to
URI) are very common, and run the gammut from kitty-snot to kitty-eye goop
to kitty-congestion. Some cats show it in congestion and have very little or
no discharge from eyes or nose. Others show it first in the eyes (either
with discharge or swelling or both) and then in the nose, and others are the
opposite. Your vet will have to take a look at the cat and prescribe
treatment for all visible symptoms. Hopefully it'll be as simple as ointment
applied two or three times a day to both eyes (probably terramycin), but if
your cat also has nasal discharge, your vet may prescribe antibiotic pills
as well. Whatever medication you're given for the cat, please please follow
the directions exactly. The right number of times a day, and exactly as long
as they tell you to keep going with the meds. The virus can linger in the
system a bit, so the antibiotics need the full course to truly get rid of
it.
Also, if your cat only has runny eyes now but develops a runny nose later,
please make sure your vet is aware that the symptoms are worsening so he can
re-evaluate the medicine. If your cat starts to get a runny nose or sound
congested, please be sure he continues to eat. Some cats won't eat if they
can't smell the food, and most cats fight off illness much faster if they're
eating well and have the physical reserves to handle the strain.